Optimism is waning among U.S. businesses due to the government shutdown, trade disputes and a volatile stock market.
That's according to the U.S. Federal Reserve in its latest report called the 'beige book' released on Wednesday.
It states that although the U.S. economy continues to grow at a modest to moderate pace, some firms are pulling back on planned investments for 2019... while some regions have reported they've experienced a slowdown.
The report said tightening labor markets are the biggest challenge businesses currently face... as they struggle to find workers amid moderate increases in wages.